" Donald Reed Chandler, noted Architect,
passed away Dec 20, 2019 at his home
in Washington, VA with his loving wife,
Denise, by his side.
Donald was born in Morrisville, NC,
June 17, 1931. As the only surviving son of
Luna Breeze Chandler and Daniel Terry
Chandler, Donald spent most of his life in
the Raleigh-Durham area of NC.
After a 2-year break from college to serve
in the US Coast Guard in 1950, Donald
received his Architectural degree from
NC State University School of Design. His
architectural work was widely praised and
he was highlighted as one of the early NC Triangle modernists (ncmodernist.
org/chandler).
After college Donald relocated to NYC to work with the large architectural
firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. In 1962 he moved to Washington, DC to
work for Chloethiel Woodward Smith, then with Mariani and Associates,
and in 1968 opened his own firm in McLean, VA and later an office in Great
Falls, VA.
In the early 1980’s Donald founded, directed, and taught at the Spectra
School of Design in Flint Hill, VA. This experiential school, where design
students learned self-awareness in an open curriculum format, lasted three
years.
As a devotee of Frank Lloyd Wright, Donald’s architecture was greatly
influenced by Wright’s philosophy of “Organic” principles, to be physically
and aesthetically in harmony with our environment. Donald’s architectural
expertise was highly sought after and he completed more than 600
commissions throughout the United States.
Donald returned to live in Rappahannock County in 2001. Besides
his architectural accomplishments built in the county, Donald is fondly
remembered for his love and singing of Country Music, passionate
storytelling at No Ordinary Person, and his warmth and good humor
towards everyone he met.
A Celebration of His Life will be held Sunday, April 26th, from 1-4pm,
at Rappahannock Cellars in Huntly, VA. Donald’s many friends from the
Rappahannock Community are cordially invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Washington Volunteer
Fire Department, Washington, VA, or Heartland Hospice, Warrenton, VA "